COMSTOCK PARK -- It depends on the player, but it's possible that even a short rehab stint of just three or four games can make a ballplayer major league ready.

At least that's the hope for Curtis Granderson.

Several West Michigan Whitecaps and hitting coach Benny Distefano believe Granderson, with only a handful of games under his belt, can be ready to contribute to the Tigers by the middle of next week -- provided the rehab stint goes as planned.

"It would be tough," Whitecaps outfielder Mark McBratney said of Granderson contributing to the Tigers immediately after finishing his rehab stint either Sunday in Toledo or possibly Monday in West Michigan. "But he's going to have to play at that level sooner or later and he's either going to fail or succeed. He may start off hot, you never know."

Granderson hasn't played since fracturing his right middle finger in spring training March 22. Tigers manager Jim Leyland has said he wants Granderson to get at least 20-25 at-bats in the minors before re-joining the team. That means playing 4-5 games.

Distefano said that's enough to leave Granderson capable of hitting atop the Tigers' lineup by mid-week. Distefano said a player's success following a rehab is largely dependent on whether he puts in the required work. Considering Granderson's work ethic, that's not a problem, Distefano said.

"In most cases, it's enough time," he said. "He might not be in mid-season form, but he should be pretty good. He's the kind that is going to work."

Whitecaps second baseman Justin Henry said the toughest part of rehabbing is for a hitter to get his timing down.

"He really hasn't been out that long, but it's different for every player," he said. "Twenty or so at bats can get your timing down. But it's obviously not like coming out of spring training."

Whether Granderson will be ready for major league pitching or not, Whitecaps infielder Cory Middleton said his influence rubbed off on his teammates.

"He's probably one of the nicest guys I've met," Middleton said. "He plays the game the right way, he plays hard. He doesn't forget where he came from."

Henry, who got in a few spring training games with the Tigers while Granderson was there, said his teammates got a kick out of playing with him Friday.

"He seems like a great guy," Henry said. "He went out of his way to say hello. He doesn't have to do those things."

McBratney said Granderson's presence is a reminder of what can happen for a minor leaguer.

"He keeps the dream alive," McBratney said. "You see what he does and just goes about his business."